They Don't Know About Us

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I listen to Mal nervously ramble as we stand outside the conference room about to meet the team. "Mal. Mal calm down we're going to be fine" I reassure her putting my hands on her shoulders. Mal finally take a deep breath after god knows how long, "I'm sorry". I chuckle, "It's fine Mal. It's okay to he nervous. Hell I'm nervous too". She just looks shocked at me, "But you look so calm right now, it's not fair" she whines. I laugh, "I may look calm but I'm the farthest from it. But we're here because we are good enough to play with them. We just got to show them how good we are and that we can play with them no matter our age". Mal nods before hugging me mumbling "Thank you". Just then Jill comes out of the conference room, "You ready girls?". Mal and I nod and follow Jill into the conference room.

Once we step into the room over 20 something heads snap in the direction of us.  I can see Mal fidgeting with her fingers beside me so I nudge her slightly and give her a smile to which she breathes out and returns one. "Ladies this is Mallory Pugh and Elliot Griffin. They will be joining us for camp and I hope you will made them feel welcomed". I see everyone stare at me and Mal so I decide to make the first move, "It's great to meet you all and it's great to be here". I see a few of the girls nod making me take a sigh of a relief. "Well it's great to meet the wonder kid of Europe" my idol Tobin Heath says. I look a bit dazed before replying, "And it's a pleasure to meet the nutmeg queen". Everyone laughs as the interaction between us. "Wait why are you call you the wonder kid of Europe" Mal asks. Before I can respond someone does for me, "You kidding, she's one of the youngest ever signings for a professional team. She's already one of the top scorers for Arsenal" Tobin explains. Everyone's eyes widen and turn to me. I blush from the attention and sheepishly rub the back of my neck. "That's where I've heard your name before! God I can't believe I didn't recognize you! God I'm dumb" Mal exclaims from beside me. "It's not that big a deal" I reply not comfortable from all the attention. "You act like you didn't score the game winning goal against Manchester City last week. That was a screamer by the way" Heather O'Reilly says.

HAO just complemented me, I can die happy now

"Well mind if we ask you both some questions to get to know you guys better we also have some other new people as well anyway" Becky asks. We both nod and go to sit down in the two vacant seats. "So your both 17 right?" Carli asks. We both nod. "So your still in school?" Alex Morgan ask and I have to remind myself to breath. "Well I am. I'm still in High school in Colorado" Mal answers. "I'm homeschooled. Over in England, but I can still do it here" I reply. "So we're your parents okay with you travelling so far from home to come to camp?" Kelley O'Hara questions. I immediately zone out once she asks about my parents. I can already feel Jill's eyes on me. I guess she knows about my home life situation. "Elliot? You okay? You zoned out for a bit" Christen Press asks. I realize the whole team is looking at me. Before I can answer my phone rings from my pocket saving me from the question. "Sorry I have to take this" I excuse myself from the room.

"Viv thank god you called" I thank her through the phone. "Wait what's wrong? Did something happen?" Viv asks immediately becoming concerned. I hear some shuffle and whispering down the phone. "Hang on I'm with Daan, I'm going to put you on speaker". I small bit more shuffling before I can hear Daan down the phone as well "Hey Ellie is everything okay?". I take a breath before answering, "I just met the team and they were asking questions and a question about parents came up". "What did you tell them?" Viv questions. "I didn't tell them anything. You called before I could answer, so thanks for the save Viv" I sigh. "Hey it's okay. Do you want to tell them about your parents? You don't have to tell them everything" Daan reassures. I groan annoyed, "I don't know. I don't think I'm going to tell them straight away. I don't want them to feel sorry for me or just think I'm here because I know you guys". "Ellie your there because you are an incredible player. You got called to camp because of your talent. You deserve to be there just give it time and you will be fine" Viv says. I sigh, "Your right. Just have to give it time. I better get back to the team". I say back before hanging up. I lean my head off the wall behind me and I close my eyes.